Coun Burden said: “The programme for this visit is extremely busy being packed with serious business discussions which should provide invaluable insights into the issues surrounding the development of a truly global attraction on our doorstep.

“It is entirely right the council examines all these issues fully and we are grateful to LRCH for facilitating these meetings with key people and communities which have had direct experience of facing and overcoming those challenges.

The Gravesham Council party will be on their way to Disney World next month.

“This is the biggest development project in Europe and has global significance.

“The impact it will have is life-changing for everyone in the area and possibly far beyond.

“We have to get this right and prepare to be in a position to inform the discussions yet to come.”

The council claims the cost of the visit – approximately £15,441 – will be met from the costs of processing the planning application.

A council spokesman said the sum represents just a small slice of a pot of money running into the hundreds of thousands of pounds which will be made available by LRCH.

Such a fund to cover expenses incurred by planning authorities is normal for projects of this size once an expected planning application is put in later this year.

But for now the cost of the visit over the April bank holiday will be covered by council tax payers.

Councillors hope to learn more about managing the Paramount Park planning process.

A council press release trumpeted the event as a chance for councillors to “see at close quarters the issues for local communities surrounding the establishment of a world-class leisure project”.

Coun Burden added: “It would be foolish to see this project as just another planning application because in reality the scheme is of almost unimaginable proportions with colossal repercussions.”

It is claimed first-hand knowledge of similarly large projects will help councillors and officers deal with the complicated planning process for Paramount Park.

LRCH has set up meetings with senior figures in Florida who had to deal with the massive effects on transportation, housing and the local economy caused by theme parks.

The Paramount Park scheme, announced in November 2012, could bring up to 27,000 jobs to north Kent.

A 70-acre site of mainly derelict land straddling the border between Gravesham and Dartford is set to be developed.

Bryan Sweetland, Gravesham Council Conservative Councillor for Istead Rise, said: “At a time when Gravesham’s Labour controlled council have just increased our council tax and council house rents, organising an expenses paid sight seeing trip to Florida for nine councillors and staff simply proves they are completely out of touch with ordinary people.

"This will be seen by the general public as another jolly and I want no part in it.

Comments

ksc
2:21pm Tue 25 Mar 14

It will be work work work all the way for those poor Councillors, give em a break, when they get back they will be knackered, I think a couple of weeks in the Caribbean would help them get over it, oh god I hope they don't take me seriously, I can't afford it.

It will be work work work all the way for those poor Councillors, give em a break, when they get back they will be knackered, I think a couple of weeks in the Caribbean would help them get over it, oh god I hope they don't take me seriously, I can't afford it.ksc

It will be work work work all the way for those poor Councillors, give em a break, when they get back they will be knackered, I think a couple of weeks in the Caribbean would help them get over it, oh god I hope they don't take me seriously, I can't afford it.

Score: 3

MarcMyWords
10:05am Fri 28 Mar 14

"The council claims the cost of the visit – approximately £15,441 – will be met from the costs of processing the planning application."

But if the majority of the site is in Dartford, which I believe it is, Gravesham won't get a penny from the planning application fee. I trust they realised that before booking their flights! I'm glad I'm not a taxpayer in that authority!

"The council claims the cost of the visit – approximately £15,441 – will be met from the costs of processing the planning application."
But if the majority of the site is in Dartford, which I believe it is, Gravesham won't get a penny from the planning application fee. I trust they realised that before booking their flights! I'm glad I'm not a taxpayer in that authority!MarcMyWords

"The council claims the cost of the visit – approximately £15,441 – will be met from the costs of processing the planning application."

But if the majority of the site is in Dartford, which I believe it is, Gravesham won't get a penny from the planning application fee. I trust they realised that before booking their flights! I'm glad I'm not a taxpayer in that authority!

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